Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 11 October 2006

Copeland applauds Parker over climate change initiatives

United Future climate change spokesman Gordon Copeland has applauded several of the Government’s new climate change policies outlined by Energy Minister David Parker in Parliament.

“I am particularly pleased with the Permanent Forest Sinks Initiative (PFSI), which will aid climate change and will also have wider benefits such as improving rural water quality and stabilising erosion-prone land, both issues that United Future is currently working closely with the Government to address,” said Mr Copeland.

The PFSI allows landowners to get the economic value of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequestering it in the form of new permanent forests. The resultant carbon credits can be sold on the international market.

“I understand that a number of new large permanent forest initiatives are ready to go as soon as the legislation is passed on both privately and Maori owned land.

“I am very pleased also to see the Government is adopting other low cost solutions and incentives while not unnecessarily punishing businesses with over the top compliance costs.

“Other policies that I have discussed with Minister Parker include a biofuels sales obligation, improving the energy efficiency of homes and businesses and mandatory fuel efficiency labelling for cars,” concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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